Six Continents Hotels, Inc. (LON/USA: SXC) today announced it is eliminating all cancellation penalties and change fees at its company managed and owned hotels in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for customers who cancel or change a hotel stay on or before midnight on March 26, 2003. Additionally, the company is strongly encouraging all hotels within the system to adopt the same policy during this time of conflict. This policy covers reservations for stays with an arrival date no later than April 3, 2003. Six Continents Hotels will continue to monitor the situation and adjust its policy as necessary.
Guests must call the hotel directly in order to not be penalized for the cancellation or change of travel date. This policy does not apply to guests who do not show without canceling with the hotel beforehand.

Also endorsing the temporary policy is the IAHI, the owners’ association of Six Continents Hotels. Six Continents Hotels, Inc. owns the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites brands.
“We have developed solid relationships with many of our guests over the years, and we want to ensure that we look after them during this troubled time,” said Tom Seddon, senior vice president, brand strategy, for Six Continents Hotels - Americas. “Implementing a cancellation policy to waive fees is the right thing to do, and does not penalize our guests for events that are out of their control.”
Earlier this year, the InterContinental brand instigated an industry standard by eliminating all cancellation and attrition fees for meetings booked at InterContinental hotels in the U.S. and Canada between Feb. 1 and April 30, 2003, that are scheduled to take place from now through Dec. 31, 2003. The company has also encouraged hotels to be flexible with group cancellations, as guests may need to alter travel plans during this trying time.
In another effort to respond to travelers needs, Six Continents announced this week that it was extending its current government rate program to encompass military personnel’s immediate family members in an effort for them to remain close before deployment or during leave. This special offer is effective immediately through Aug. 31, 2003, and is available at hotels where the government rate is currently available - across all Six Continents brands - in the U.S.

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